IntroductionEthiopia is a country located in the Horn of Africa and is home to a variety of culturally and linguistically diverse populations. Ethiopian history dates back 3000 years and is rich in culture and values. World Bank statistics (2013) report Ethiopia as the second most densely populated country in Africa, as well as the poorest. Therefore, 38.7% of Ethiopians live below the poverty line and the country's per capita income is estimated at $410 (World Bank, 2013). However, Ethiopians are recognized as a friendly and kind people. In Ethiopia guests are respected and treated well. When an Ethiopian greets others he does so with a smile and a warm handshake. They also expect to be treated with warmth and respect when meeting others. Furthermore, Ethiopians have a hierarchical respect system in which elders are given the utmost respect (Center for Cultural Learning, 2009). Other cultural distinctions noted are that Ethiopians do not like to disclose their illness to others and doctors rarely tell a terminally ill patient that their illness is terminal due to the belief that sharing such devastating news would discourage the patient from wanting to live. Instead, the news is shared with loved ones so they can provide emotional support (Mabsout, 2011). Finally, Ethiopia is a black country and therefore there is no color distinction associated within the population. Therefore an Ethiopian who immigrates to America faces a number of social differences within the United States. In this article the author will discuss his cultural and ethnic background and discuss how the author's cultural value has influenced the nursing experience. Autoethnography of Culture and Diversity Cultural Background How Ethiopian this ...... half of the article ......sk about a patient's cultural background and the influences that may guide the care received. Works Cited Ethiopia (2009) Center for Intercultural Learning. Retrieved from http://www.intercultures.ca/cil-cai/ci-ic-eng.asp?iso=etEthiopian Panorama (2013). The World Bank. Retrieved from http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/ethiopia/overview Kibour, Y. (2001). Racial identity attitudes of Ethiopian immigrants and depression symptomatology: An exploratory study. Cultural diversity and the psychology of ethnic minorities, 7(1), 47-58. doi:10.1037/1099-9809.7.1.47Leininger's Nursing Theory: Diversity and Universality of Cultural Care (1998). Nursing Science Quarterly. 1(152) DOI: 10.1177/089431848800100408Mabsout, R. (2011). Health capacity and functioning in Ethiopian families. Social Indicators Research, 101(3), 359-389. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11205-010-9661-0